Switch-rod and coupler



(No Model.)

J. LOVEJOY.

SWITCH ROD AND COUPLER.

Patented Dec. 26, 1882.

% Jiventor:

n... I I v 5 V N- PKTERS, PhulO-Lilhcgmphcr, Washinglon. D. C.

' UNITED STATES PATENT .FFICE.

JOHN LOVEJOY, OF WEST LEBANON, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

SWITCH-ROD AND COUPLER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 269,530, dated December26, 1882 Application filed October 12, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN LOVEJOY, a citizen of the United States,residing at West Lebanon, in the county of Grafton and State of NewHampshire, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inSwitch-Rods and Couplers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a.full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to theletters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part ofthis specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a switch-rod and coupler, whichshall be cheap,

simple, strong, and effective, which can be easily attached and detachedwithout disturbing the rest, which will at all times preserve the gageby allowing the slack resulting from constant jarring to be taken upeasily. To this end I combine with the rails a switch-rod andslidingrcollars of peculiar construction, fully set forth in thefollowing description.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side view of one end of mydevice with rail attached. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section ofthe other end. Fig. 3 is a plan view.

Similar letters refer to similar parts.

B represents the switch rod or bar. It is made ofiron or steel. Near theends of said rod are grooves I) I). These grooves are so made as to formsolid clutches a a. for the outer flanges of the rail. The inner walls,w, of the grooves are vertical. They do not impinge upon the innerflange of the rail, but are some distance to the rear ofit, to allow theinsertion of the rail and wedge-key, the latter fastening the slidingcollars in one groove. This construction gives simplicity, and does notweakon the rod as much as a second slot passing through it in the rearof the collar would.

' U U are sliding collars for the purpose of fastening and securelyholding the rails in the grooves. These collars are recessed acrosstheir faces to form lips c c. The upper ones close tightly upon theinner flange of the rail. Both the upper and under lips are alike, sothat when one-is disabled the lower one can be used in its place byrevolving the collar upon the rod. Hence it will not be necessary tothrow away the collar because one lip is out of order. Back of theselips the collars are made in the form of a solid bridge, B. Thesebridges impinge tightly against the side of the inner flange of the railand force the opposite flange firmly into the clutch of the rod, thelips preventing any lifting of said inner flanges. Back of the bridgesare formed large slots D', to give sufficient room for inserting thewedge-key between the upper wall of the slot and the bottom of thegroove in the rod should occasion compel the revolving of the collar.Back of the slots the collars are formed of solid metal, as shown.

Through the slots in the collars and the groove in the ro.l passwedge-keys'D D..

These keys have split pins 19 1) for holding them when driven in as faras desired, and a series of holes, 71. h, for said pins. The slopingsides of the keys do not wholly fill the slots of the collars on theinner side. Hence when any slack is observed it may be taken up bydriving the keys farther in and fastening them. However, the straightside of the key always bears tightly against the bridge of the collar.

It will be seen that the fastening is secured by driving the wedge-keyagainst the sides of the bridge of the collar and the inner wall of thegroove in the switch-rod.

A switch-rod and coupler constructed as above described can be made atmuch less expense than where the key and slot in the rod are placed backof the collars. The latter construction weakens the rod. The formerleaves it strong, and it will be preferred by all. Having fullydescribed my invention, whatI claim, and desire to secure by LettersPatent, 1s-

1. In a switch-rod and coupler, the collar 0, having lips 0, bridge B,and slot D, substantially as described.

2. The combination of the switch-rod B,

grooved to form the solid clutch a and removed rear walls, to, with thecollar (3, having lips 0, bridge B, and'slot D, said collar beingfastened by a wedge-key passing through it and the groove in the rod,substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN LOVEJOY.

' Witnesses EDWARD J. DURANT, FRANK H. LoVEJoY.

ICO

